11th May 1909

Manchester

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William 'George' Roughton, formerly with Droylsden, Huddersfield Town and Manchester Utd signed for Exeter City in September 1945 and, within a month, was appointed manager. Playing in the interim mini-leagues held during 1945/46 he appeared ten times in the competition that ran up to the end of 1945 as well as four times in that season’s two-legged FA Cup ties. Soon retiring from playing he managed Exeter City until 1952 when he moved to take charge of Southampton.    

Commencing his career with Droylsden, George signed for Huddersfield Town in 1928 and went on to make 164 league appearances for the club. Having played in the Football Association team that toured Canada in 1931 (alongside Exeter City’s Harold Houghton) he was a member of the Huddersfield team finished as First Division runners-up in 1933/34. Transferred to Manchester United in September 1936, he featured in a further 86 league games in the years before the outbreak of war.

Signing for Exeter City in 1945-46, George played in 10 matches in the Division Three South (South of the Thames) competition having made his debut against Bristol Rovers at St James’ Park in September 1945. He also appeared in all four two-legged FA Cup ties against Trowbridge Town and Newport County in the autumn of 1945.   

Appointed manager of Exeter City in October 1945, he had the considerable task of rebuilding the team following the war. Finishing 15th, 11th, 12th, 16th and 14th during his complete seasons in charge, he left to manage Southampton in March 1952. Suffering heart problems he was forced to retire in September 1955 although he later worked in a part-time role with the Hampshire Football Association.

George Roughton died in Southampton in 1989.

1945/46 interim competitions 10; FA Cup 4 (14)